Surgeon general visits Lejeune’s Naval Hospital

By THOMAS BRENNAN - Daily News Staff

Published: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 04:49 PM.

“I was down here a little over a year ago … The community here is going to be very appreciative of the way this will facilitate primary care, emergency care and some of their specialty care,” he said, noting the hospital being particularly equipped for wounded warriors.

“With the warrior clinics and the barracks — it’s a whole continuum of care that I think is important ... add to that, the compassion and dedication of the medical crew itself — you’ve got a winning combination.”

Part of that winning combination includes Seaman Matthew Robitz, 22, of
Las Vegas
.

“(The Surgeon General’s) visit means a lot,” Robitz said. “It shows that he actually cares. It’s not like he is sending representatives. He is coming here himself, spending time and meeting sailors, talking to us, seeing what’s going on at the hospital and just being involved in the command.”

As he surveyed construction changes at the hospital, the surgeon general of the Navy also took the time to remind staff that they’re part of “a winning combination.”

Vice Adm. Matthew Nathan, the 37th surgeon general of the Navy, visited Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune on Wednesday to speak with the sailors of the installation and get a sneak peek at the hospital’s current construction.

“Through all the uncertainty, one thing never changes,” Nathan said to sailors in formation. “You could be on the aft part of a ship in the south China sea. You could be in a battalion aid station in Korea ... But as we stand out here today to honor the colors we’re part of a fabric that reaches across the world.”

Nathan arrived at the NavalHospital early Wednesday morning and began his visit by attending the raising of the American flag, followed by an awards ceremony for the hospital’s executive officer. Before departing the hospital, he spoke with sailors and toured the new emergency and physical therapy wings which are currently under construction.

“The country has never been more appreciative of what you do in this time of difficulty,” Nathan said. “Coming off of over 10 years of war and working here — here in the crucible of a division who has gone repeatedly to war and back again ... It’s what we do. It’s what you do.”

Seeing the progress first hand on the hospital construction, which is tentatively due to be complete in July, was “amazing” Nathan said.

“I was down here a little over a year ago … The community here is going to be very appreciative of the way this will facilitate primary care, emergency care and some of their specialty care,” he said, noting the hospital being particularly equipped for wounded warriors.

“With the warrior clinics and the barracks — it’s a whole continuum of care that I think is important ... add to that, the compassion and dedication of the medical crew itself — you’ve got a winning combination.”

Part of that winning combination includes Seaman Matthew Robitz, 22, of Las Vegas.

“(The Surgeon General’s) visit means a lot,” Robitz said. “It shows that he actually cares. It’s not like he is sending representatives. He is coming here himself, spending time and meeting sailors, talking to us, seeing what’s going on at the hospital and just being involved in the command.”